I did it!
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:19 pm
Well, it's not the Samurai Contest puzzle, but I finally completed the "First Samurai" puzzle on the Specials page. I can't devote the time to work on puzzles for more than an hour here and there, so it took me a while, but I'm really proud of myself!
It also took several tries. After botching the first couple of attempts, I decided to use a more systematic approach. I used Sudocue to print out the constituent puzzles with their candidates (I matched up the candidates in the overlapping boxes before printing).
Then I wrote down each and every step, so that if I made a mistake, I could backtrack rather than having to start over. It took extra time and 13 sheets of paper (!) to write everything down, but it saved me at least three or four times from having to start over again. Having to articulate the steps also helped me to work out the logic in my mind.
The only real snag I hit was that I had missed eliminating a candidate in one of the overlapping boxes when I was matching them up. Once I discovered and fixed that (about three-fourths of the way through the puzzle), the puzzle pretty much imploded from there.
The puzzle required nothing more advanced than locked candidates, but that's about the limit of my technique repertoire right now. As a matter of fact, I was a little shaky even on those, so this puzzle helped me to solidify that technique in my mind.
I highly recommend this puzzle for learners, although experts might find it too easy. Considering the time it took me, though, I don't think I'm going to be entering any contests anytime soon.
It also took several tries. After botching the first couple of attempts, I decided to use a more systematic approach. I used Sudocue to print out the constituent puzzles with their candidates (I matched up the candidates in the overlapping boxes before printing).
Then I wrote down each and every step, so that if I made a mistake, I could backtrack rather than having to start over. It took extra time and 13 sheets of paper (!) to write everything down, but it saved me at least three or four times from having to start over again. Having to articulate the steps also helped me to work out the logic in my mind.
The only real snag I hit was that I had missed eliminating a candidate in one of the overlapping boxes when I was matching them up. Once I discovered and fixed that (about three-fourths of the way through the puzzle), the puzzle pretty much imploded from there.
The puzzle required nothing more advanced than locked candidates, but that's about the limit of my technique repertoire right now. As a matter of fact, I was a little shaky even on those, so this puzzle helped me to solidify that technique in my mind.
I highly recommend this puzzle for learners, although experts might find it too easy. Considering the time it took me, though, I don't think I'm going to be entering any contests anytime soon.